The Badge Archive

• Fulfills Step 5 of GSUSA Budget Builder badge requirements.

Items Needed:

• At least two sets of Shopping cards (by GSUSA) (mix of wants and needs)
• Print and cut out enough $1 and $5 fake money from the Pretend Shopping (at DS Brownie Girl Scouts) file for every scout to have (2) $5 and (5) $1.
• Open space to display item cards “like a store” (tables, chairs, or floor space)
• Timer or stopwatch

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Instructions (Estimated Time: 15–20 minutes):

1. Set Up the Store (5 minutes)
   • Spread the item cards around the room to make a pretend store.
   • Group similar items together (food, clothes, toys, etc.).
2. Start with $15
   • Each scout gets $15 in play money to “shop” with.
   • They may choose any items, but they can only spend up to $15 total.
   • (optional) Scouts may team up to pool their money and buy something larger together.
3. Shopping Dash (5 minutes)
   • Scouts shop at the same time.
   • Rules:
     • First come, first serve
     • If an item runs out, it’s gone
     • No arguing. If there’s a disagreement, the item goes “back to the store backroom” and isn’t available
   • When time runs out, whatever is in their hands is what they must check out with.
4. Check Out and Celebrate (5–10 minutes)
   • Each scout visits the “cashier” (leader) to check out.
   • They total their items
     • If the total is $15 or less, it’s a successful purchase!
     • If they overspend, they remove one item before retrying
     • Cheer for each completed budget!
     • If someone needs help, the troop offers kind words and tries again next time.